1; The daughters of Zelophehad sue for an inheritance.
6; The law of inheritances.
12; Moses, being told of his death, sues for a successor.
18; Joshua is appointed to succeed him.
* the daughters.
In the orders for the division of the land, just given, no
provision had been made for females, in case of failure of
male issue. The five daughters of Zelophehad, therefore,
considered themselves as destitute, having neither father nor
brother, and being themselves entirely overlooked; and they
agreed to refer the case to Moses and the rulers, whether it
were not equitable that they should inherit their father's
portion. This led to the enactment of an additional law to
the civil code of Israel, which satisfactorily ascertained and
amply secured the right of succession in cases of inheritance.
This law, which is as reasonable as it is just, stands
thus:--1. On the demise of the father, the estate descends to
the sons. 2. If there be no son, the daughters succeed. 3.
If there be no daughter, the brothers of the deceased inherit.
4. If there be no brethren, or paternal uncles, the estate
goes to the grand uncles, or brothers of his father. 5. If
there be no grand uncles, then the nearest of kin succeeds to
the inheritance. Beyond this fifth degree the law does not
extend, because there must always have been some among the
Israelites who could be called kinsmen.
* Zelophehad.
26:33 36:1-12 Jos 17:3-6 1Ch 7:15 Ga 3:28
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